Page 397
An.1687
A Procession of the Idolaters at Maderas.
which had been purposely fatting a month before: this they offer or present before their Idol, and then dress it and feast themselves with it. I have seen them do this in Tunquin, where I have at the same time been invited to their Feasts: and at Ban- couli, in the Isle of Sumatra, they sent a Shoulder of the Sacrific'd Goat to the English, who eat of it, and ask'd me to do so too ; but I refused.
When I was at Maderas, or Fort St. George, I took notice of a great Ceremony used for several nights successively by the Idolaters inhabiting the Suburbs : Both men and women (these very well clad) in a great multitude went in solemn Procession with lighted Torches, carrying their Idols about with them. I knew not the meaning of it. I observ'd some went purposely carrying Oyl to sprinkle into the Lamps, to make them burn the brighter. They began their round about 11 a clock at night, and having paced it gravely about the streets till 2 or 3 a clock in the morning, their Idols were carry'd with much Ceremony into the Temple by the chief of the Procession, and some of the Women I saw enter the Temple, particularly. Their Idols were different from those of Tunquin, Cambodia, &c. being in humane Shape.
I have said already that we arrived at these Islands the 14th day of March 1687. The next day we searched about for a place to careen in ; and the 16th day we entered the Harbour, and imme- diately provided to careen. Some Men were set to fell great Trees to saw into Plank ; others went to unrigging the Ship: some made a House to put our Goods in, and for the Sailmaker to work in. The Country People resorted to us, and brought us of the fruits of the Island, with Hogs, and sometimes Turtle ; for which they received Rice in exchange, which we had a Ship load of, taken at Manila. We bought of them also a good quantity of their pitchy